Business, Law & Human Rights: Why Rule of Law Matters for Viksit Bharat
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Can business be profitable and ethical? Can compliance be a strategy, not a burden? Are lawyers custodians of law or managers of law? And what role will young lawyers play in shaping the future of justice and markets in India?
In this town hall episode of Unmute, co-hosted by Lok Jagruti Kendra University’s LJ School of Law, Ahmedabad, hosts Gagan Sethi and Minar Pimple explore the intersection of business, law, and human rights in today’s India. With industry leader Sameer Khera and Social Compact initiative lead Sonvi Khanna, the conversation examines why ethical business practices, rule of law, worker dignity, compliance systems, and responsible supply chains must become core to India’s development agenda and not just peripheral commitments.
Students and faculty engage through questions, reflections, and debate, making this a dynamic, grounded conversation on the future of business responsibility, legal ethics, and just growth.
Key Highlights
Rule of Law as Economic Strategy – why stronger legal systems improve investment climate, stability, and India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
Human Rights in Business – the shift from minimum wage to living wage, and how contract labour systems hide workers in plain sight.
Ethical Supply Chains – why companies are now accountable not only for direct employees but for the full chain of contractors and sub-contractors.
ESG & BRSR in Practice – how Indian businesses are moving beyond paperwork toward measurable dignity and responsible workplaces.
Compliance as Competitive Edge – why early adoption of ethical frameworks is becoming a strategic advantage, not a regulatory burden.
Voice, Accountability & Power – how the Social Compact approach centres worker narratives to expose gaps in legal audits and HR systems.
Human Dignity as a Metric – understanding dignity not just as a value but as an operational parameter for responsible businesses.
The Role of Future Lawyers – a call for students to become custodians of the law rather than managers of law.
Shaping Business Ethics – how the next generation of legal professionals will influence corporate behaviour, accountability, and justice.
References & ResourcesFederation of Gujarat Industries (FGI)
Social Compact - https://www.dasraus.org/social-compact.html
UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights - https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Publications/GuidingPrinciplesBusinessHR_EN.pdf
Rule of Law Index - https://worldjusticeproject.org/rule-of-law-index/country/2025/India/
National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct - https://iica.nic.in/images/National-Guidelines-on-Responsible%20Business%20Conduct.pdf
ESG Mandate in India - https://www.india-briefing.com/news/esg-reporting-mandates-in-india-guidelines-for-businesses-34217.html/
FDI & Rule of Law - https://binghamcentre.biicl.org/documents/49_risk_and_return_fdi_and_the_rol_compressed.pdf
IBA Guide on Business and Human Rights for Lawyers - https://www.ibanet.org/MediaHandler?id=d6306c84-e2f8-4c82-a86f-93940d6736c4
Living Wages (ILO) - https://www.ilo.org/living-wages
Sarbanes-Oxley Act in Indian Scenario -https://www.academia.edu/35662020/Corporate_Governance_Indian_perspective_with_relation_to_Sarbanes_Oxley_Act
Guest
Sameer Khera - Managing Director, See Linkages; President, Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI)Known for driving compliance, sustainable business practices, and industry leadership integrating ESG principles.
Sonvi Khanna - Director, Social Compact (DASRA)
Leads a programme transforming labour practices, accountability, and transparency between principal companies and the contract workforce.
Dr. Chaitali Jani – Director, L.J School of Law
Hosts
Gagan Sethi – Development practitioner with 40+ years of experience in organisational development, policy advocacy, and minority rights.
Minar Pimple – Founder of YUVA (Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action), and former senior Director at Amnesty International, Regional Director- Asia Pacific (UN Millennium Campaign) and Founding Chair, Oxfam India.
